First-Person Pronouns | List, Examples & Explanation
First-person pronouns, such as “I” and “we,” refer to the person or group of people who is speaking or writing. The first-person pronouns include “I,” “we,” “me,” “us,” “mine,” “ours,” “myself,” and “ourselves.”
They’re a type of personal pronoun just like second-person pronouns (e.g., “you” and “your”) and third-person pronouns (e.g., “he,” “she,” and “they”).
First-person pronouns can be singular or plural, and there are four types—subject, object, possessive, and reflexive.
| Subject | Object | Possessive | Reflexive | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | I | me | mine | myself |
| Plural | we | us | ours | ourselves |
First-person subject pronouns (I and we)
A first-person subject pronoun (“I” or “we”) is usually the subject of a sentence, clause, or question, in which case, it performs the action.
“I” or “we” can also be a predicate nominative, which is a noun that goes after a linking verb (e.g., “is” or “are”). When they’re predicate nominatives, first-person subject pronouns describe or rename the subject. “We” is rarely used as a predicate nominative, but it’s technically possible.
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Subject of a sentence | We adopted a pug, and I named her Simone. |
| Subject of a question | When can we watch the new season of Silo? |
| Predicate nominative | The student who got the highest grade on the essay was I. |
- Who’s knocking at the door? It’s me!
- The runners who won first and second place are us.
When you’re speaking or writing informally, use subject or object pronouns as predicate nominatives, depending on whichever feels natural to you. In formal writing, use subject pronouns for predicate nominatives.
First-person object pronouns (me and us)
The first-person object pronouns (“me” and “us”) can play one of three main roles in sentences or clauses:
- A direct object that receives the verb
- An indirect object that receives the direct object
- The object of a preposition, such as “to” or “from”
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Direct object | Picasso’s paintings have always fascinated and inspired me. |
| Indirect object | Pets are a lot of work, but they bring us comfort and companionship. |
| Object of a preposition | My daughter excels at science, but she didn’t learn it from me. |
- Jessica and me share a fascination with moths and spiders.
- Jessica and I share a fascination with moths and spiders.
- My parents took my siblings and I to Hawaii for winter break.
- My parents took my siblings and me to Hawaii for winter break.
If you’re ever unsure about whether to use “me” or “I,” QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help.
First-person possessive pronouns (mine and ours)
A first-person possessive pronoun (“mine” or “ours”) represents another noun (the antecedent), which the person speaking or writing owns (e.g., “That coffee is mine”).
“Mine” (singular) and “ours” (plural) are similar to the possessive determiners “my” and “our,” which must modify nouns (e.g., “my coffee”). In contrast to possessive determiners, which can’t be used without the nouns they modify, possessive pronouns stand on their own.
Possessive pronouns, like “mine” and “ours,” are most common when answering questions about whom something belongs to. These questions have interrogative pronouns like “who,” “whom,” or “whose.”
The Jones’s car is much newer than ours is.
First-person reflexive pronouns (myself and ourselves)
The first-person reflexive pronouns are “myself” and “ourselves.” They’re used when the subject is the same as the direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition in a sentence.
- “Myself” can only be used when the subject is “I.”
- “Ourselves” can only be used when the subject is “we” or “someone else and I.”
I taught myself how to crochet by watching YouTube videos.
- The bridesmaids in Sabrina’s wedding include Sarah, Esperanza, and myself.
- The bridesmaids in Sabrina’s wedding include Sarah, Esperanza, and me.
- Charlie and myself are planning a charity auction.
- Charlie and I are planning a charity auction.
First-person pronouns in academic writing
There’s a common misconception that students must always avoid first-person pronouns in academic writing. However, they’re necessary in some types of academic writing and common in journal articles about research studies.
The best practices for using first-person pronouns depend on the assignment and the content that you’re writing about. Some common guidelines are described below.
When to use first-person pronouns in academic writing
If the assignment requires you to write about yourself, you should probably use first-person pronouns. Some genres that usually require first person include narrative essays, reflections, personal statements, and reports on your own research or experiment.
Narrative essay: My experience volunteering on the farm in Haiti gave me a new perspective on the true cost of food, and I will probably never take our food system for granted again.
However, don’t include details about yourself unless it’s necessary. If you’re writing an academic argument or literature review, there’s probably no reason to write about yourself and therefore no reason to use first-person pronouns.
Avoid referring to yourself in the third person
When you’re required to write about yourself, avoid using third-person phrases like “this learner” or “this researcher” unless your instructor or supervisor specifically asks you to. APA and other style guides consider this incorrect.
- This learner hopes to study Chemistry at the University of Boulder and contribute to research on volatile organic compounds.
- I hope to study Chemistry at the University of Boulder and contribute to research on volatile organic compounds.
Alternatives to first-person pronouns
When an instructor or supervisor requires you to avoid first-person pronouns, even when writing about yourself, two techniques work well:
- Replace first-person pronouns with third-person nouns.
- Rewrite first-person sentences in passive voice.
| First-person sentence | Revision technique | Third-person sentence |
|---|---|---|
| We used simple random sampling to survey 500 students at Rice University. | Use the third person (e.g., “researcher” or “paper” instead of “I”). | The researchers used simple random sampling to survey 500 students at Rice University. |
| I analyzed the survey results for outliers. | Use the passive voice. | The survey results were analyzed for outliers. |
Avoid unnecessary first-person pronouns
Regardless of whether you’re permitted to use first person, avoid first-person pronouns when they aren’t necessary. Phrases like “I believe” or “I feel that” are usually verbose or redundant, especially in persuasive writing.
When instructors forbid first-person pronouns, it’s usually to prevent this error and because the assignment doesn’t require autobiographical details.
- I feel that bicycle lanes will reduce traffic and improve air quality.
- Bicycle lanes will reduce traffic and improve air quality.
In this example, “I feel that” states the obvious. Readers already know that what you wrote is also what you believe or think.
Pronoun consistency
A common error happens when writers are inconsistent about how they refer to themselves. If first-person pronouns are acceptable for your assignment or genre, avoid switching between first-person pronouns like “I” and third-person nouns like “the researcher.”
- The researchers obtained parental consent from all participants, and we followed all FERPA requirements.
- We obtained parental consent from all participants, and we followed all FERPA requirements.
- The researchers obtained parental consent from all participants, and they followed all FERPA requirements.
However, assignments that permit or require first-person pronouns should usually combine first person and third person, like this example from a personal reflection.
- One of my main challenges in this writing course was learning APA citations. For example, most of the citations in my first draft of the argument essay were incorrect because I didn’t know where to cite the year of publication. However, the peer editing workshop on citations made the guidelines much clearer.
Avoid the editorial we
Avoid using “we” to refer to people in general or as a vague pronoun reference to a specific group of people. This error leads to confusion especially if you’re also using first-person pronouns to describe yourself.
- We see far too many paid advertisements that are disguised as legitimate posts.
- Social media users see far too many paid advertisements that are disguised as legitimate posts.
Frequently asked questions about first person pronouns
- What is the difference between first- and second-person pronouns?
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The main difference between first- and second-person pronouns is the person or people they refer to.
First-person pronouns represent the person who is speaking or writing (e.g., “We love helping people become stronger writers, and we hope you enjoy our blog”). They include “I,” “we,” “me,” “us,” “mine,” “ours,” “myself,” and “ourselves.”
Second-person pronouns represent the person you are speaking or writing to (“The more you practice writing, the better your writing will become”). They include “you,” “yours,” “yourself,” and “yourselves.”
First- and second-person pronouns can function as subject pronouns, object pronouns, possessive pronouns, and reflexive pronouns.
There are fewer second-person pronouns than first-person pronouns for two reasons.
- Only second-person reflexive pronouns have singular and plural forms. For example, “you” can mean one person or “you all.” (Although in spoken English, the contraction “y’all” for “you all” is a common plural for “you.”) “Yours” can also be plural or singular.
- Second-person pronouns don’t have different subject and object cases. The second-person pronoun “you” can be a subject pronoun or an object pronoun.
QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you use first- and second-person pronouns correctly.
- Is we a first-person pronoun?
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We is a plural first-person pronoun that refers to the person who is speaking or writing and one or more other people.
It’s also a subject pronoun, which means that it can be a subject or a predicate nominative.
When “we” is the subject of a sentence or clause, it performs the action. When “we” is a predicate nominative, it follows a linking verb, and it renames or describes the subject. “We” as a predicate nominative is extremely rare.
In writing, “we” should have a clear antecedent (a noun that the pronoun represents). The antecedent for “we” is usually “[another person or group] and I” or a plural noun that includes the person speaking or writing.
We as a first-person pronoun examples My family and I love camping, and we visit Estes Park every summer. (subject pronoun)As nurse practitioners, we should participate in ongoing training to stay up-to-date with best practices. (subject pronoun)
When Greg and I got married, the two of us became we. (predicate nominative)
QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you use pronouns correctly.
- What are the first-person plural pronouns?
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The first-person plural pronouns are we, us, ours, and ourselves. They refer to the person writing or speaking and one or more other people.
First-person pronouns can be subject pronouns, object pronouns, possessive pronouns, or reflexive pronouns.
First-person plural pronouns examples Pronoun type Pronoun Example Subject pronoun We As college students, we appreciate constructive feedback. Object pronoun Us Internships prepare us for future careers. Possessive pronoun Ours These frisbees are ours, but you can use them if you’d like. Reflexive pronoun Ourselves The neighbors and I built ourselves a bridge so that we could cross the creek safely. QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you use first-person plural pronouns correctly.
- Is you a first-person pronoun?
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You is not a first-person pronoun but rather a second-person pronoun.
First-person pronouns include “I,” “we,” “me,” “us,” “mine,” “ours,” “myself,” and “ourselves.”
Second-person pronouns include “you,” “your,” “yours,” “yourself,” and “yourselves.” As a second-person pronoun, “you” can be a singular or plural subject pronoun or object pronoun.
As a subject pronoun, “you” is a subject that performs the verb or a predicate nominative that describes or renames the subject.
As an object pronoun, “you” is a direct object, an indirect object, or the object of a preposition.
You in sentences examples Part of speech Example Subject You are the best neighbors. Predicate nominative My favorite dancing partner is you. Direct object I am once again asking you to support my campaign. Indirect object Hi, Brandon and Andrea! I’m making you a lasagna this week to return your kind favor. Object of a preposition The mail that came yesterday was addressed to you, so I didn’t open it. QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you use “you” and other second-person pronouns correctly.
- Is us a first-person pronoun?
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Us is a plural first-person pronoun that refers to the person who is speaking or writing and one or more other people.
It’s also an object pronoun, which means it can be a direct object, an indirect object, or the object of a preposition.
Us in sentences examples Part of speech Example Direct object (receives the verb) Do smartphones move us closer together or further apart? Indirect object (receives the direct object)
The instructor gave us an extension on the first draft. Object of a preposition The birthday bouquet is from all of us. QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you avoid errors with “us” and other pronouns.
